why are all the lines (except 2) in sshd_conf commented out by default?
http://www.freebsdwiki.net/index.php/Sshd_config
Because the defaults of openSSH are 'sane' by default. The commented lines are the defaults
>>55370891
>http://www.freebsdwiki.net/index.php/Sshd_config
so it permits root login and empty passwords by default?
#PermitRootLogin no
#PermitEmptyPasswords no
and why
#Port 22
#Protocol 2
shouldn't those be enabled by default
>>55371105
No, it doesn't. The commented line IS the default.